We went to MSP to see Prairie Home Companion at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul.
I would recommend trying Priceline to get a very nice hotel close to the Mall & the Airport. Our Sheraton was only $49, at least half the online price. The cars are pretty cheap too. As for just the Mall (which I didn't go to) there is a train to it. Mike Summers; October 2012:
Headed to MSP for a Twins game. Easy to take the light rail (Website: http://www.metrotransit.org/metro-blue-line ) from the airport to the ball park. On the way back to the airport after the game we stopped at Nyes Polonaise Room (Website: http://nyespolonaise.com/ ) for a quick meal.. This is a must-see/visit place in the evening where they have the "World's Most Dangerous Polka Band" along with Mike "Piano Man" Maresh. This is definitely the place you want to visit while in MSP. Not only is the entertainment the best, but the food is awesome! We tried the Pirogues and the Prime Rib Sandwich. The food and the entertainment can't be beat! It's right up there with the Sip "N Dip Mermaid Bar and Tiki Lounge in Great Falls, Montana.
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Minneapolis Wikitravel Website: http://wikitravel.org/en/Minneapolis
Minneapolis Downtown Wikitravel Website: http://wikitravel.org/en/Minneapolis/Downtown
St. Paul Wikitravel Website: http://wikitravel.org/en/St._Paul_(Minnesota)
Bloomington, MN (Mall of America) Wikitravel Website: http://wikitravel.org/en/Mall_of_America
Minnesota Wikitravel Website: http://wikitravel.org/en/Minnesota
Twin Cities Wikitravel Website: http://wikitravel.org/en/Twin_Cities_(Minnesota)
Becky Crozier; October 2008:
We went to MSP to see Prairie Home Companion at the Fitzgerald Theater in St. Paul.
I would recommend trying Priceline to get a very nice hotel close to the Mall & the Airport. Our Sheraton was only $49, at least half the online price. The cars are pretty cheap too. As for just the Mall (which I didn't go to) there is a train to it.
Mike Summers; October 2012:
Did a real nice day-trip to Minneapolis, which could easily be extended to an overnight trip. Frontier currently uses the E Concourse in the Lindbergh Terminal 1 Building (Airport Website: http://www.mspairport.com/ ). From the gate, just follow the signs to the light rail station below baggage claim. Light rail transit websites: http://www.metrotransit.org/light-rail.aspx and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hiawatha_Line . During off-peak hours the fare is $1.75 which is good for 2 1/2 hours of travel. Peak travel fares are $2.25. From the airport you can head south to the Mall of America or head north to downtown Minneapolis. You Tube Light Rail Video: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og__tRBATdo . On this trip we headed north first to visit downtown and the University of Minnesota Campus. We walked from the Cedar-Riverside to the campus, which took about 15 minutes (Campus Website and map: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/University_of_Minnesota_-_Twin_Cities and http://www1.umn.edu/pts/maps/index.html ). On the campus is the Weisman Art Museum (Website: http://www.weisman.umn.edu/ ), which is free to visit. It's an odd-looking building along the east side of the river on Washington Avenue S. From the campus we headed over to Washington Avenue S. for lunch at the Town Hall Brewery (Website: http://www.townhallbrewery.com/#home/1550 ), which is next door to the Holiday Inn Metrodome (Website: http://www.metrodome.com/ ) at 1500 S. Washington Ave. S. If you spend the night, you might want to head to the Warehouse District or North Loop, which is near the Target Center (Websites: http://mplswarehouse.com/ and http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/North_Loop,_Minneapolis
and http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g43323-d142843-Reviews-Warehouse_District-Minneapolis_Minnesota.html ). Target Field, home of the Minnesota Twins Baseball Team, is located in this neighborhood (Website: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Target_Field ), which is at the northern terminus of the light-rail system. We went to an afternoon game by buying tickets from a scalper. After purchasing, we walked about two blocks along the light-rail line to Cowboy Jacks, which has a third story roof-top patio (Website: http://minneapolis.theaftermidnightgroup.com/ ), good food, and live music. Target Center, home of the Minnesota Timberwolves NBA Team and Minnesota Wild NHL Hockey Team, is also located in downtown Minneapolis (Website: http://www.targetcenter.com/ ). If you're interested in shopping or taking your kids on a fun daytrip, head south from the airport on the light-rail to the Mall of America. Not only is it a Mall, but it also contains an aquarium, a putt-putt golf course, and an amusement park. Here's some websites for the Mall: 1) General Information:
http://www.mallofamerica.com/ , 2) Nickelodeon Universe Amusement Park: http://www.mallofamerica.com/attractions/view/nickelodeon-universe , 3) Sea Life Minnesota Aquarium: http://www.mallofamerica.com/attractions/view/nickelodeon-universe , LEGO Store:
http://www.mallofamerica.com/attractions/view/lego , Movie Theatres: http://theatresmoa.com/ , Moose Mountain Miniature Golf:
http://www.mallofamerica.com/attractions/view/moose-mountain-adventure-golf , and the House of Comedy:
http://www.mallofamerica.com/attractions/view/house-of-comedy . There are over 400 stores and a large variety of restaurants to visit. You might want to bring an empty suitcase to fill with items! Minneapolis is a place that I will return to for another visit.
Enjoy!
Mike
Mark Roemer; August 2014:
Headed to MSP for a Twins game. Easy to take the light rail (Website: http://www.metrotransit.org/metro-blue-line ) from the airport to the ball park. On the way back to the airport after the game we stopped at Nyes Polonaise Room (Website: http://nyespolonaise.com/ ) for a quick meal.. This is a must-see/visit place in the evening where they have the "World's Most Dangerous Polka Band" along with Mike "Piano Man" Maresh. This is definitely the place you want to visit while in MSP. Not only is the entertainment the best, but the food is awesome! We tried the Pirogues and the Prime Rib Sandwich. The food and the entertainment can't be beat! It's right up there with the Sip "N Dip Mermaid Bar and Tiki Lounge in Great Falls, Montana.